Chris Rock in Talks to Host Oscars

Comedian Chris Rock is in talks to host the 88th Academy Awards, THR has confirmed.

The 2016 Oscars, which will be held on Feb. 28, are being produced by Reginald Hudlin and David Hill, who are currently in discussions with Rock about taking on the high-profile gig.

While the Academy declined comment on the possibility of Rock hosting, the performer knows his way around the show, having hosted the 77th Oscars in 2005. His first foray as Oscar host did provoke some controversy after he made a joke at Jude Law‘s expense that triggered a response from Sean Penn later in the evening.

Hudlin and Rock previously teamed up on the 2005 sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, based on Rock’s teenage years. Hudlin directed the pilot for the show, which Rock created with Ali LeRoi.

The news was first reported at the comedy web site robotbutt.com.